Total Complaints
47 filings
FORD FORD TRUCK · model year
47 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997FORDFORD TRUCK carries 47 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 FORD TRUCK is tires with 8 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (3) and tires:tread/belt (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1997 FORD TRUCK. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
47 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| TIRES | 8 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 3 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER | 2 |
| STRUCTURE | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES | 1 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 1 |
| WHEELS:HUB | 1 |
| WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS | 1 |
I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 55 MPH AND HAD A SUDDEN LOOSE OF POWER DUE TO A SPARK PLUG BLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE AND BREAKING A COIL PACK . THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ONE WITH FORD F150 5.4 LITER TRITON ENGINES FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. *TR
Mileage: 195,000
THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND TOLD THAT THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED AND THEY WOULD CALL ME. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER 7 MONTHS. *TR
MY CAR BURN BY IT SELF, IT WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY I HAVE TALK TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIXED. *NM
Mileage: 90,000
SPEEDOMETER IN MY 1997 EXPEDITION WAS NOT WORKING CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION NOT TO SHIFT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER BECAUSE OF A LEAK IN THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE SEAL AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO AFFECTED WERE THE WIPERS AND WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS AND RUNNING BOARD LIGHTS. THE FUSE BOX AND MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS LEAK. THIS WORK FOR TWO SERVICE CALLS COST ME $781.27. THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT I TOOK MY TRUCK TO FOR THE REPAIRS ALSO WANTED TO CHARGE ME FOR INSTALLING A NEW WINDSHIELD AFTER THE FIRST TRY TO REPAIR THE SEAL DID NOT WORK. I REFUSED TO PAY FOR A NEW WINDSHIELD. THEY TOLD ME THEY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD FOR ME AT NO COST. *JB
Mileage: 88,717
SLIDING SIDE DOOR ON FORD AEROSTAR POPS OPEN EVEN WHEN LOCKED. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND ENCOUNTERING A MILD BUMP IN THE ROAD. OVER TIME DOOR NO LONGER LATCHES CLOSED WITHOUT MANUALLY PUSHING SHUT AFTER ATTEMPT OF SLIDING CLOSED.*AK
SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO THE POWER STEERING PUMO FAILING IT WAS TOOKEN TO SEVERAL SHOPS WHO STATE THAT THEY DID NOT HEAR THE PROBLEM. OUD WHINING WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. TEMPERTURES DROPED TO 4 DEGREES IN THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP IN THEY SAY THAT THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 1997 FORD WINDSTAR POWERSTEERING PUMP GOING OUT!*AK
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON A LONG LEFT CORNER WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS OF THE TRACTOR SLID. THE DRIVER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A TREE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE (1997 FORD AT9513). *MR *SCC *NLM
THIS IS THE SECOND ENGINE FAILURE IN A YEAR AND A HALF. FIRST ENGINE WENT AT 34000. THE SECOND ENGINE WENT AT 74. DEALER SAYS ENGINE IS OUT OF WARRENTY AND IT;S MY PROBLEM. THE VAN IS MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER EVERY 3000 MILES. I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE ARE KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE THAT THE DEALER IS NOT INFORMING ME OF. I NEED TO KNOW IF THE OIL PUMP FOR THIS ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE. I NEED TO KNOW IF FORD IS RESPONCIABLE FOR AN EGINE THAT BRAKES EVERY 35000 MILES. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROPLEM.*AK
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING A FORD F-37 U-HAUL STRAIGHT TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER. WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK HE PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT HE COULD NOT. THE VEHICLE BURNT OUT RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE CONSUMER, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK IN WHICH THE OIL LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST (OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT#10-91-594). *YH
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING A FORD F-37 U-HAUL STRAIGHT TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER. WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK HE PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT HE COULD NOT. THE VEHICLE BURNT OUT RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE CONSUMER, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK IN WHICH THE OIL LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST (OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT#10-91-594). *YH
WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEWOUT WITHOUT WARNING (GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT XL P235/75R15). NLM
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE MASS. TPKE., AT 60 MPH, I EXPERIENCED A VERY LOUD EXPLOSIVE TYPE SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE MOTORHOME. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND DETERMINED THAT THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD SEPARATED, CAUSING EXTREME DAMAGE TO THE MOTORHOME STORAGE COMPARTMENT JUST REAR OF THE AXLE. I CONTACTED ONSTAR WHO THEN NOTIFIED THE STATE POLICE AND HWY. AUTH. THEY DID ARRIVE BUT WERE UNABLE TO STAY AND HELP AS THERE WAS A MASSIVE ACCIDENT ELSEWHERE ON THE TPKE. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH FIRESTONE AND MY INSURANCE CO., AND BOTH ARE SENDING COMPLAINT FORMS TO BE COMPLETED. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY AS I STILL HAVE SIX MORE OF THESE TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. (DOT NUMBER: URB0998055 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)
IDLER PULLY BROKE AND FLEW OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 65MPH.THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THAT CERTAIN PULLY BUT COVERS THE OTHERS,MUCH TO MY SURPRISE. NOW 7 MONTHS LATER THE TENSION PULLY BREAKS,NOW THAT IS A COVERED ITEM WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT NOW MY TRUCK IS OVER THE MILEAGE . I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BESIDES MYSELF AND I HAVE TWO FRIENDS THAT HAVE HAD PULLEY PROBLEMS. PLEASE INFORM ME AS TO WHOM I MAY BE IN CONTACT WITH TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE PULLEYS.,*AK
WE RENTED A 15 FOOT RYDER TRUCK FROM SARASOTA, FL TO PERU, ILLINOIS IN FEB. 2001 & THE TRUCK WAS A NIGHTMARE. FIRST OF ALL, WHEN MY HUSBAND WENT TO PICK THE TRUCK UP HE NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS BALD AND THE SALESMAN THERE SAID - DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT - THEY'LL FIX IT IN PERU" 1300 MILES AWAY!!! 2ND - THE TAILLIGHTS ON THE TRUCK DIDN'T WORK SO WE HAD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON & 3RD THE TRUCK HAS A MAJOR SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WE HAD IT PACKED CORRECTLY - HEAVY APPLIANCES UP FRONT AND WE COUNTER BALANCED A HEAVY ITEM ON ONE SIDE WITH ANOTHER HEAVY ITEM ON THE OTHER SIDE. WHEN WE WOULD REACH 55 MPH (SOMETIMES EVEN SLOWER DEPENDING ON ROAD CONDITIONS) THE BED OT THE TRUCK WOULD START TO ROCK CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ALMOST FLIP OVER SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAD SOMEONE IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK AND MY MOTHER & I WERE IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK SO WE SAW IT FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS. THE FRONT TIRES WERE LIFTING OFF THE GROUND, THAT'S HOW BAD THE TRUCK WAS ROCKING. MY HUSBAND
WE RENTED A 15 FOOT RYDER TRUCK FROM SARASOTA, FL TO PERU, ILLINOIS IN FEB. 2001 & THE TRUCK WAS A NIGHTMARE. FIRST OF ALL, WHEN MY HUSBAND WENT TO PICK THE TRUCK UP HE NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS BALD AND THE SALESMAN THERE SAID - DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT - THEY'LL FIX IT IN PERU" 1300 MILES AWAY!!! 2ND - THE TAILLIGHTS ON THE TRUCK DIDN'T WORK SO WE HAD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON & 3RD THE TRUCK HAS A MAJOR SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WE HAD IT PACKED CORRECTLY - HEAVY APPLIANCES UP FRONT AND WE COUNTER BALANCED A HEAVY ITEM ON ONE SIDE WITH ANOTHER HEAVY ITEM ON THE OTHER SIDE. WHEN WE WOULD REACH 55 MPH (SOMETIMES EVEN SLOWER DEPENDING ON ROAD CONDITIONS) THE BED OT THE TRUCK WOULD START TO ROCK CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ALMOST FLIP OVER SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAD SOMEONE IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK AND MY MOTHER & I WERE IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK SO WE SAW IT FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS. THE FRONT TIRES WERE LIFTING OFF THE GROUND, THAT'S HOW BAD THE TRUCK WAS ROCKING. MY HUSBAND
WE RENTED A 15 FOOT RYDER TRUCK FROM SARASOTA, FL TO PERU, ILLINOIS IN FEB. 2001 & THE TRUCK WAS A NIGHTMARE. FIRST OF ALL, WHEN MY HUSBAND WENT TO PICK THE TRUCK UP HE NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS BALD AND THE SALESMAN THERE SAID - DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT - THEY'LL FIX IT IN PERU" 1300 MILES AWAY!!! 2ND - THE TAILLIGHTS ON THE TRUCK DIDN'T WORK SO WE HAD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON & 3RD THE TRUCK HAS A MAJOR SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WE HAD IT PACKED CORRECTLY - HEAVY APPLIANCES UP FRONT AND WE COUNTER BALANCED A HEAVY ITEM ON ONE SIDE WITH ANOTHER HEAVY ITEM ON THE OTHER SIDE. WHEN WE WOULD REACH 55 MPH (SOMETIMES EVEN SLOWER DEPENDING ON ROAD CONDITIONS) THE BED OT THE TRUCK WOULD START TO ROCK CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ALMOST FLIP OVER SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAD SOMEONE IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK AND MY MOTHER & I WERE IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK SO WE SAW IT FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS. THE FRONT TIRES WERE LIFTING OFF THE GROUND, THAT'S HOW BAD THE TRUCK WAS ROCKING. MY HUSBAND
FORD MECHANIC DISCRIBE PROBLEM: AS H.C.P. HITCHING AND CAN NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. DIESEL CONSUMPTION HAS INCREASED AGREAT DEAL WENT FROM 20MPG TO 8MPG. ALSO HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP SEVEN TIMES. WAS CHARGED $100.00 ONE TIME, JAN. 2001 LAST TIME WATER PUMP WAS CHANGED. *AK
MY HOOD POPPED OPEN GOING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY. IT CAME BACK ON THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS ABLE TO STEER ONTO THE SIDE.*AK
ATTORNEY IS WRITTING IN TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE (WORKHORSE LT245/75R16 TIRE) WHICH EXPERIENCED FAILURE RESULTING IN COLLISION IN WHICH FOUR INJURIES OCCURRED, THE VAN WAS USED AS A SCHOOL BUS WITH 11 TOTAL OCCUPANTS 8 CHILDREN AND THREE ADULTS. *MJS
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING FAILURE TO PULL AT SPEEDS 45 TO 50 MPH
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.